St. Landry democrat., 1887-09-10
ragged him bodily up it, and shook him

dragged him bodily up it, and shook him
roughly when they reached the top.
For Gods sake, get a little life in you.
We've got that jump to make an can 90
it myself Here, give me your hand II you
fall, III go with you. Now, quick, or the
roof will be in
How it was done neither could ever
tell but Tom found himself on the
side of safety, with Leonard there, too,
but quite SenScleSS now, and Grahu
display of fiery banners streaming heaVen-
ward as the falling roof lent hercenesS
to the burning. 1t was a surprise to Tom
afterward to find that he had some severe
burns to be dressed, and to find moreover
that Leonard was the brighter Of the two
next morning and was up the first, for they
had found a refuge together i'll Jack room,
which Jack insisted on giving up to them.
awake Tom? Then hurry for | think
we will have a visitor this morning.
Noneed to ask who, his face told, and flash
of the old jealousy leaped up in Toms breast.
Il won't see her" he muttered.
"Look here, barclay, last night sets us
even, don't it? Well, don't you 90 tiauntin'
your winnings atore me; the devil might
come up in me again. an jest now I've got
him down. Let us part company while there
is peace between us | don't blame you any
for goin' back on your word about glvln
her up; I'm wilin' to believe you tried
AN did it, Tom"
1T looks like it," cried Tom scornfully,
with her comm TO see vow an'-klsSlng
vOu.' he had very nearly added, but caught
the words short, changing them to yes
tcrday.'
Il see I'll have to tell you that there was q
sort o foolish boy-an' girl promise betWiNt
Jessie an me, an after t'Other accident she
felt as how she'd have to live up to 1t Jest be-
cause I'd happened to save you, who she
liked the best ThAt'S the Woman's way, to
MARTYR themselves, and she'd a-dOne It, too,
only I'd seen into her mind an knew; an
so [ wrote her a letter to say that 1t wash q
true kindness to purtcnd that way, an the
one that come first to her heart must come
first to her hand which | knew it WASH t
me She come right away then to thank me
an to say that she hadn't been either honest
or true for shame at her bein such q light
little thing an Changin So-that what she
said an ! meant to send YOU to her, but 1t
seems that she heard of the fire, an that
you was bad hurt helpin' me-which I'm
glad amt true-an beln' anxious like come,
an here she is
With which explanation Leonard went out
as Jessie came in. Perhaps he had not as
sured her of Toms entire safety, for the tlut-
tering color went in and out of her face, and
she had nota word to say until Tom put out
his hand and ask ed:
(which is it. Jessie, him or me? You kin
take your choice'
"Oh, Tom, Tom, dear, you, you, and I'm
proud and glad to say it, and ashamed too,
Tor mightD have told the truth if it hadn't
been for Barclay. thought he would tell
you and you would despse me, but when |
heard you had been such hero couldn't
help but come"
Not the hero he isl murmured Tom, re-
gretfully.
More hero to me. But oh, my dear, if
there is man love next to you it is Barclay
Leonard. must tell you that II believe
l kissed him-for leaving me free for you.
Did he tell YOU that ?''
Il knew it," said Tom, with wonderful
peace settling over the perturbed spirit which
had suffered such hideous pangs from that
little act. Being man, he made no confess
sion, but great shudder shook him when he
thought of the temptation which had as
sailed him on the previous night. What if
the outcome had been different?